Queensland family-friendly travel guide

Since Queensland is so large, the average temperatures can vary greatly between its various regions. However, by and large Queensland enjoys a relatively warm climate even through the winter.

Summer is December to February and very warm. In the tropical northern regions, average temperatures are around 32 degrees Celsius.

Winter is June to August, and will seem comparatively warm if you’re travelling from New South Wales or Victoria, with average degrees of around 25 degrees Celsius.

International airports in Queensland include the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville. Domestic air services are located at Karumba, Normanton, Burketown, Mt Isa, Proserpine, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Maroochy. Various other smaller centres offer regional air services.

Taxis are readily available in cities throughout Queensland.

Queensland’s major cities such as Brisbane are quite well connected by public transport including buses, trains and ferries, however this is increasingly sparse the further into rural areas you plan to head. You can find timetables and route information here. 

Food won’t be a problem with the abundance of superb fresh produce and seafood ensuring gourmet dining every night. Queensland’s rich soil produces some of Australia’s finest fresh fruit and vegetables, while its vineyards are home to many award-winning wines.

If you’re feeling adventurous, encourage the kids to try out some traditional bush tucker and indigenous foods, and make sure you make time to visit one of the local farmers markets!

Queensland has something to offer everybody, with a range of major cities offering great retails outlets, and its small regional towns filled with quirky local arts and crafts just waiting to be discovered.

Kids will love bejeweling themselves with island-vibes bling, while Australian Indigenous art is a unique and beautiful way to decorate your home – just make sure it’s the real deal and you’re supporting ethical purchasing, as cheap knock-offs and fakes pose a threat to true Indigenous artist’s livelihoods.

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

Casual lightweight clothing is the norm in Queensland. A jacket or warmer clothing may be required for cooler winter evenings. Long pants and comfortable walking shoes are recommended if you plan to do any bushwalking or horse riding. To ensure adequate protection from the sun, wear a broad-rimmed hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen. These are essential all year round.

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners.

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

Queensland occasionally experiences natural disasters such as cyclones or tropical storms.

Remember to stay safe when swimming in the far north, as marine stingers can be a problem. Always swim between the flags; if there is a stinger-proof enclosure, swim there, and wear wetsuits or lycra swimsuits. Also, enter the water slowly. If stung, see a lifeguard.

This cascading water over a series of lava columns is quite a sight! There’s a walkway to the base of the falls where you can catch a glimpse of the resident turtles and platypus, and it’s a pristine swimming location, too.

This is where you will capture those iconic white sand, crystal-blue water beach shots. In fact, this stunning seven-kilometre-long beach is the most photographed in Australia.

If you’re lucky enough to experience a helicopter or seaplane ride over the Great Barrier Reef, make sure to take your camera along to capture amazing shots from the air. In particular, look out for the famous Heart Reef.

Get that token photo sitting on one of the round boulders of Mossman Gorge, while also enjoying a swim without having to worry about crocs (locals say it is one of the best freshwater swimming spots in the whole region). As part of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, the gorge is surrounded by the oldest continually surviving rainforest anywhere on earth – largely unchanged for more than 135 million years.